Shielded electrode connector

Abstract

An ECG lead set is described which is shielded against electrostatic charge hazards. An electrical shield is located at the end of each lead of the lead set and electrically shields the connection of the lead set to an ECG electrode. The electrical shield is covered by a nonconductive cover and is electrically connected to the shield of the coaxial cable of the lead set.

1. A shielded connector for a body electrode comprising:
 a lead having a shielded signal conductor; 
 a connector electrically attached to the signal conductor for attachment to a body electrode having a patient-contacting area which conducts received signals to the signal conductor; and 
 a conductive electrical shield located above the connector and above the patient-contacting area when the connector is attached to the body electrode, the electrical shield being covered by a nonconductive cover and electrically connected to the shielding of the signal conductor, wherein the conductive electrical shield comprises a unitary disk-shaped shield having an outer periphery extending to a position between the periphery of the patient-contacting area and the outer periphery of the body electrode when the connector is attached to the body electrode. 
 
     
     
       2. The shielded connector of  claim 1 , wherein the shielded signal conductor further comprises a coaxial cable having a central signal conductor and an outer shielding conductor,
 wherein the conductive electrical shield is electrically connected to the outer shielding conductor. 
 
     
     
       3. The shielded connector of  claim 2 , wherein the connector is a snap connector. 
     
     
       4. The shielded connector of  claim 2 , wherein the connector is a clip-on connector. 
     
     
       5. The shielded connector of  claim 2 , wherein the body electrode further comprises an ECG electrode. 
     
     
       6. The shielded connector of  claim 1 , wherein the nonconductive cover presents a dielectric strength to an external conductor of at least 2000 volts/mm DC. 
     
     
       7. The shielded connector of  claim 1 , wherein the nonconductive cover presents a dielectric strength to an external conductor of at least 5000 volts/mm DC. 
     
     
       8. The shielded connector of  claim 1 , wherein the covered electrical shield extends outward and downward from the connector when the connector is attached to the body electrode. 
     
     
       9. The shielded connector of  claim 1 , wherein the conductive electrical shield comprises one of a conductive paint, a foil, or a conductive cloth. 
     
     
       10. The shielded connector of  claim 9 , wherein the conductive electrical shield exhibits a conductivity of 1.0 Ohm-cm or less.